The Sentrong Samahang Tsuper at Operators-Negros (SSTONE) will push their petition for jeepney fare increase despite the further drop of gasoline prices nationwide, its secretary general, Jesse Ortega, said yesterday.

Ortega said he believes the decrease in fuel prices could just be temporary and may again increase in the international market by yearend.

He said that last week, gasoline was sold at P46 to P47 per liter and it is P44 for per liter this week although it is expected to spike up to P49 next month.

Ortega said their petition is still on despite oil price rollbacks because they find it unfair that jeepney fares at the regional level are not increasing, while the National Capital Region and some parts of Luzon have already increased their fares.
         
A transport group from Panay has also filed a petition and will not take it back despite the decrease in oil prices.
         
The SSTONE members expect that resolution of their petition will take time. The petition was filed in August last year but has not yet been granted by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board.

Ortega reiterated that the 50-centavo provisional jeepney fare increase for the first five kilometers should be nationwide.*NCN

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